09Aug 2014 by Bob Cargill

10 Types of Visuals to Boost Your Social Media Engagement

Facebook, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube
As a writer by trade, it's not easy for me to utter these words, but I'm not going to lie: On social media, a picture is worth a thousand words. It's true. Content may be king, but visuals rule. All the latest studies and statistics suggest that images on social media command more attention than text alone. If you want more likes, comments, shares, retweets, and clicks, you want to include pictures with your social media posts. You want to be more visual. As Carla Gates says here on her 3 to 5 Marketing Blog... "Images used in your social media (and by definition, your blog content) are far more attention-grabbing than text or plain old links, more likely to be shared, evoke emotional reactions in viewers (and emotion SELLS),…
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26Jul 2014 by Bob Cargill

Smile, You’re on Social Media

Facebook, Social Media, Twitter
When Ellen DeGeneres pulled together some of Hollywood’s biggest superstars for a group shot at the Oscars this year, it may have been a moment of spontaneous fun, but the resultant tweet of this selfie will go down in social media history. Having been retweeted over 3.4 million times at last count, this one epic tweet from @TheEllenShow easily surpassed a tweet of President Barack Obama’s as the most retweeted ever. Statistics aside, this tweet served to underscore a point that social media practitioners like me have been preaching to businesses and brands for a long time. Lighten up. You heard me. Take your work, not yourself, seriously. If the likes of Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt and Kevin Spacey can strike a pose for a rather silly selfie…
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20Jul 2014 by Bob Cargill

10 Ways Your Brand Can Stand Out on Twitter

Advertising, Branding, Marketing, Social Media, Twitter
With over 241 million active users on Twitter, more and more brands are realizing that establishing a presence there is no longer an option. It’s a must. The good news is that it’s relatively easy to get up and running on this social media channel. Building a substantial audience that hangs on everything you’re saying in 140 characters or less? Not so much. Success on Twitter takes time as well as a deep knowledge of the best practices that only comes with experience through trial and error. Keeping an eye on what others are doing on the channel is an excellent way to learn the latest strategies and tactics as well. To monitor how brands are using Twitter to capture the attention of their constituents, I’ve compiled a list of…
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29Jun 2014 by Bob Cargill

Twitter Guide to Newspapers, Magazines, TV and Radio Stations in the Boston Area

Boston, Media, Social Media, Twitter
Okay, native Bostonians -- and those of you, like me, who are truly, madly, deeply in love with this wicked cool city -- step right up. This guide's for you. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that there are countless ways to stay enlightened, educated and entertained via traditional media around this town. You know the drill. You know which newspapers and magazines to read. You know which TV and radio stations to tune into when you want to catch up or chill out. But do you know where those very same publishers and disseminators of content live on Twitter? Do you know their handles? Do you know what they're saying and sharing in 140 characters or less? That's why I put together this guide. It's designed…
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26Apr 2014 by Bob Cargill

The Buzz on Twitter about the 2014 Boston Marathon

Boston, Boston Marathon, Social Media, Twitter
It's not only the oldest annual marathon in the world, held on the third Monday of April, it's one of the most popular road races of any distance among runners and spectators alike. It's the legendary Boston Marathon, a 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston that began in 1897. This year, of course, there is likely more attention being given to the Boston Marathon than any other year in its storied history. Understandably so. The 2013 Boston Marathon was tragically marred by two bomb explosions near the finish line that killed three spectators and injured over 200 others. This year, there will be 36,000 official entrants in the marathon and more emotions wrapped up in the event than ever. What's being said about the 2014 Boston Marathon on Twitter? Plenty.…
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28Mar 2014 by Bob Cargill

Three Good Reasons to Tag Others in Tweets

Social Media, Twitter
Years ago, before I was to deliver a farewell address at my last meeting as president of an industry trade group, a friend gave me some advice I remember to this day. Mention lots of people in your speech, he told me. Name names. The more people, the better. I couldn’t have agreed more. I took his advice to heart and rattled off as many names as possible. I thanked people for their help. I acknowledged them for their contributions. It felt good to be singing their praises. Dale Carnegie certainly would have approved. After all, one of his "Six Ways to Make People Like You" in his classic book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People,” is to “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest…
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16Feb 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Proud to Be Running the Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising
The 2014 Boston Marathon will be extra special for me. The victims of last year’s bombings will be on my mind every step of the way, but so will the kids who stay at Christopher’s Haven, "a home for kids when cancer hits home." To support my participation in the Boston Marathon this year and give to Christopher's Haven, please visit my fundraising page here, where you can make a secure online donation. Or you can donate by check — just make it payable to Christopher’s Haven and mail it to me at 33 Oakwood Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776. Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support.
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08Feb 2014 by Bob Cargill

How Over 100 Boston-Area Restaurants Use Twitter

Boston, Restaurants, Social Media, Twitter
You've probably heard of them. You may even have been to them. But do you follow them on Twitter? They are the over 100 different restaurants in the Boston area that you will find tweeting about eating that are included in a list I created recently on Twitter. From a great gastropub like Deep Ellum to a classic steakhouse like Abe & Louie's, a legendary sports bar like the Cask 'n Flagon to a highly acclaimed Italian bistro like Figs, they’re some of the most popular restaurants around, places you can count on for good food and good times. In this Twitter list, you can read what these restaurants are up to in 140 characters or less. You can learn more about their menus, their specials, their personalities and their…
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24Jan 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Running the 2014 Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising
For me, the day started out like any other Patriots’ Day on which I’ve run the Boston Marathon, but it ended not with the anticipated feelings of joy and accomplishment. Instead, I went to sleep that night restless, worried and overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and shock over the two devastating bombs that had exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street. That’s how a blog post of mine began on April 21 of last year, just six days after the 2013 Boston Marathon, an otherwise glorious event that was tragically marred by two destructive explosions along Boylston Street. I wanted to put down in words while it was still fresh in my mind everything I felt about my experience that day. The disappointment I felt in having my…
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